Self-defence Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A pendant comprises a first part that is detachable from a second part. The first part comprises an attachment for a necklace. The second part contains a friction-actuated explosive and at least one defensive substance. The second part comprises an outlet for the defensive substance. The first part is connected to the friction-actuated explosive such that when the first part is detached from the second part the explosive may be actuated to expel the defensive substance from the outlet.

The present invention relates to self defence apparatus. In particular the present invention relates to a pendant for a necklace.

Jewellery for the purpose of self-defence has been previously proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,513B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,969B1 both disclose items of jewellery capable of dispensing a spray for deterring an assailant.

However, such items can be difficult to use, requiring the coordination of both hands and/or the aiming of a spray nozzle, which if facing in the wrong direction may render the device ineffective or indeed harmful to the wearer.

The present invention seeks to improve upon the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a pendant comprising a first part that is detachable from a second part; wherein:

-   -   the first part comprises an attachment for a necklace;     -   a second part contains a friction-actuated explosive and at         least one defensive substance;     -   the second part comprises an outlet for the defensive substance;     -   the first part is connected to the friction-actuated explosive         such that when the first part is detached from the second part         the explosive may be actuated to expel the defensive substance         from the outlet.

Beneficially a user is able to rapidly deploy a pendant made in accordance with the present invention as it comprises an explosive rather than compressed gas. Furthermore, a user needs only a single hand to operate the pendant of the present invention. Even further, to actuate the pendant a user needs only to move the pendant in the direction of an assailant with the pendant pointed at the assailant.

In some embodiments the outlet is located at a region of the pendant that is positioned lowermost when the pendant is worn by a user.

In some embodiments the pendant is elongate and the outlet is located at an end of the pendant that is positioned lowermost when the pendant is worn by a user.

In some embodiments the pendant comprises a displaceable covering at its outlet.

In some embodiments the defensive substance comprises a lachrymatory agent, a malodorant, a visibly coloured dye, a UV dye, or any combination of the aforementioned.

In some embodiments the friction-actuated explosive comprises pentaerythritol tetranitrate, lead azide or mercury fulminate.

In some embodiments the first part is only detachable from the second part under a predetermined force of at least 10 Newtons, or at least 15 Newtons, or at least 20 Newtons, or at least 30 Newtons, or at least 40 Newtons, or at least 50 Newtons.

In some embodiments the pendant comprises an element configured to be broken under a predetermined force to allow the first part to be detached from the second part.

Providing an element configured to be broken before the first and second parts may be detached diminishes the chances of the pendant being accidentally deployed.

In some embodiments the pendant comprises an insert housed within the second part and connected to the first part, the insert comprising the element that is configured to be broken.

In some embodiments an insert comprises a partition and a pin that is connected to the first part, wherein the pin is breakable to allow the first part to be detached from the second part.

In some embodiments a pin is breakable where it is joined to the partition.

In some embodiments a pin is breakable at a point between the partition and the pin's connection to the first part.

In some embodiments the pendant comprises a necklace attached thereto.

In order that the present invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a first side view of a pendant made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the upper end of pendant of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a view of the lower end of the pendant of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a second side view of the pendant of FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the section A-A of the pendant of FIG. 3 ; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the section A-A of the pendant of FIG. 3 once the pendant has been used;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the pendant of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective cross-section through a plastic insert used to construct the pendant of FIGS. 1 to 6 with the insert in situ in a pendant;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section through the insert of FIG. 8 ; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a view of the underside of the insert of FIG. 9 .

Referring to the drawings a pendant 1 comprises a first part 2 and a second part 3. In the present embodiment pendant 1 is approximately 3.5 cm in length and approximately 0.5 cm in diameter.

Second part 3 of pendant 1 is elongate and tubular and thereby forms a main elongate tubular body of pendant 1. Second part 3 of pendant 1 is formed of metal.

Second part 3 has an opening at its upper end 3 a in which first part 2 is retained such that first part 2 forms the upper end of pendant 1 (i.e. the end of pendant 1 that is uppermost when pendant 1 is worn by a user).

At a lower end of second part 3 (i.e. the end of pendant 1 that is lowermost when pendant 1 is worn by a user) is located outlet 19 that is defined by circular recessed flange 6.

Covering 7 in the form of an aluminium disc is attached to recessed flange 6 by means of adhesive such that outlet 19 is sealed when pendant 1 has not been used.

Within chamber 17 is defensive substance 13, which in the present embodiment is in the form of a coloured dye, but in other embodiments, depending upon local law may be in the form of a lachrymatory agent such as pepper spray, or a combination of defensive substances such as dye and pepper spray.

First part 2 comprises disc 8, plug 9 and semi-circular member 5, each of which are formed of metal.

Disc 8 is of the same diameter as the tubular body of second part 3.

Disc 8 has an upper surface 8 a from which orthogonally extends semi-circular member 5.

Together with upper surface 8 a of disc 8, semi-circular member 5 defines a semi-circular aperture 4 through which a necklace may be threaded so as to retain pendant 1 thereon.

Extending from lower surface 8 b of disc 8 is disc-shaped plug 9, which is configured to frictionally engage with a cylindrical recess positioned at the upper end of second part 3.

Housed inside second part 3 of pendant 1 and located intermediate the upper and lower ends 3 a, 3 b is plastic insert 20 comprising partition 14, cylindrical wall 21, and pin 10.

Plastic insert 20 is formed in one piece.

Partition 14 is located towards the upper end 3 a of second part 3 such that it divides the internal space of second part 3 into upper small chamber 16 and lower large chamber 17.

Small chamber 16 being part-defined by cylindrical wall 21 of insert 20 and plug 9. Large chamber extends from partition 14 to covering 7 at outlet 19.

In the present embodiment large chamber 17 accounts for approximately 80% of the length of second part 3 whereas small chamber 16 accounts for approximately 20% of the length of second part 3.

Cylindrical wall 21 abuts internal flange 22 of second part 3, preventing movement of cylindrical wall 21 and partition 14 of insert 20 towards upper end 3 a of second part 3.

At a first end pin 10 is joined to partition 14. Pin 10 is configured to detach from partition 14 under a predetermined force.

Referring to FIG. 10 it may be seen that a partition 14 comprises a centrally disposed cross-shaped aperture 18, such that pin 10 is only attached to partition 14 at four separate points such that the attachment of pin 10 to partition 14 is weakened and pin 10 may be separated from partition 14 under manual force exerted by a user of pendant 1.

One arm of cross-shaped aperture 23 is longer than the other three so as to allow a cord 15 to readily extend through that arm.

Adjacent its second end pin 10 passes through an aperture in plug 9 and disc 8 to terminate at a heat staked head 10 a that is housed within a recess on the upper surface 8 a of disc 8.

Pin 10 comprises an aperture 12 that is located adjacent plug 9.

Adhered to a side of partition 14 within large chamber 17 is friction-actuated explosive disc 15 from which extends cord 11. Cord 11 is configured to actuate explosive disc 15 when force is applied thereto.

Cord 11 extends from explosive disc 15 through aperture 18 and into small chamber 16. Cord 11 is attached to pin 10 by virtue of being passed through aperture 12 and terminating at a knot.

A length of cord 11 extending between aperture 12 and explosive disc 15 is coiled around pin 10. In the present embodiment cord 11 is formed of a para-aramid but any cord of suitable strength may be used.

In use a person wears pendant 1 on a necklace (not shown) which is threaded through aperture 4. In the event of attack a user may simply grasp second part 3 of pendant 1 and move it towards the assailant with lower end 3 b of second part 3 pointed in the direction of the assailant.

The necklace to which first part 2 of pendant 1 is attached limits the distance that first part 2 may be moved away from a user's neck.

Thus, once a user has applied the predetermined force required to separate pin 10 from partition 14 first part 2 detaches from second part 3 and cord 11 uncoils.

In the present embodiment pin 10 is separable from partition 14 under a predetermined force of around 25 Newtons. However, in other embodiments other predetermined forces may be selected, depending upon a variety of factors including regulatory requirements.

It is envisaged that in most embodiments a force of at least 10 Newtons will be desirable and a force probably in the range of 20 Newtons to 50 Newtons may be desirable. However, in some embodiments a force of above 50 Newtons may be required.

Once first part 2 has been detached from second part 3 cord 11 (which connects pin 10 with explosive disc 15) may unravel from pin 10 and extend.

Once cord 11 has been fully extended further movement actuates explosive disc 15. The resultant explosion displaces covering 7 and expels defensive substance 13 from outlet 19.

Beneficially for pendant 1 to be effective a user needs only a single hand to operate it and needs only to move pendant 1 in the direction of an assailant with pendant 1 pointed at the assailant for defensive substance 13 to be fired at the assailant.

Whilst in the present embodiment first and second parts 2, 3 are formed of metal and insert 20 is formed of plastic any suitable materials may of course be used.

Whilst in the present embodiment pin 10 is breakable from partition 14 where they join in other embodiments a pin may be provided with a point of weakness at a point located along its length.

In other embodiments other means to restrict the unwanted actuation of pendant 1 may be employed. For example, a first part may be retained by second part by a spring-loaded bearing or other form of catch.

In some embodiments a first part may be retained by a second part by means of friction.

In other embodiments a pendant need not be substantially tubular but may be any suitable shape.

In this specification an apparatus/method/product “comprising” certain features is intended to be interpreted as meaning that it includes those features, but that it does not exclude the presence of other features.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A pendant comprising a first part that is detachable from a second part; wherein: the first part comprises an attachment for a necklace; a second part contains a friction-actuated explosive and at least one defensive substance; the second part comprises an outlet for the defensive substance; the first part is connected to the friction-actuated explosive such that when the first part is detached from the second part the explosive may be actuated to expel the defensive substance from the outlet.
 2. The pendant of claim 1 wherein the outlet is located at a region of the pendant that is positioned lowermost when the pendant is worn by a user.
 3. The pendant of claim 1 wherein the pendant is elongate and the outlet is located at an end of the pendant that is positioned lowermost when the pendant is worn by a user.
 4. The pendant of claim 1 wherein the pendant comprises a displaceable covering at its outlet.
 5. The pendant of claim 1 wherein the defensive substance comprises a lachrymatory agent, a malodorant, a visibly coloured dye, a UV dye, or any combination of the aforementioned.
 6. The pendant of claim wherein the friction-actuated explosive comprises pentaerythritol tetranitrate, lead azide or mercury fulminate.
 7. The pendant of claim 1 wherein the first part is only detachable from the second part under a predetermined force of at least 10 Newtons, or at least 15 Newtons, or at least 20 Newtons, or at least 30 Newtons, or at least 40 Newtons, or at least 50 Newtons.
 8. The pendant of claim 1 comprising an element configured to be broken under a predetermined force to allow the first part to be detached from the second part.
 9. The pendant of claim 1 comprising an insert housed within the second part and connected to the first part, the insert comprising the element that is configured to be broken.
 10. The pendant of claim 8 wherein an insert comprises a partition and a pin that is connected to the first part, wherein the pin is breakable to allow the first part to he detached from the second part.
 11. The pendant of claim 10 wherein a pin is breakable where it is joined to the partition.
 12. The pendant of claim 10 wherein a pin is breakable at a point between the partition and the pin's connection to the first part.
 13. The pendant of claim 1 comprising a necklace attached thereto. 